an act making more difficult the discovery of that which one is legally obligated to reveal or not to withhold, such as the failure of a bankrupt to a schedule all his or her assets, or the failure of an applicant for an insurance policy to disclose information relevant to the insurer’s decision to insure the risk. ACTIVE CONCEALMENT concealing by words or deeds that which one has a duty to reveal. PASSIVE CONCEALMENT maintaining silence when a duty to speak exists Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016